'No one wants to rock the boat'

ISLAMABAD: Other than a muted expression of concern from the Commonwealth secretary-general, President Gen Pervez Musharraf's decision to retain his uniform has evoked no adverse reaction from the international community.

On the contrary, there has been endorsement by the sole superpower, the US. Other members of the international community, including the European Union, also appear to have acquiesced by choosing to remain silent.

Diplomatic community here expressed the view that there was no 'technical ground' for questioning the presidential move in view of the two-office bill approved by the democratically elected parliament.

However, some diplomats privately concede that democratic principles so fervently advocated by the West have indeed been compromised at the altar of pragmatism. At this point in time, they say, the war against terrorism is far more crucial than the democratic credentials of President Musharraf, the man they consider central to their war.

Also, they say no need was felt by them to look at the 'non-technical' aspects of the uniform issue. In other words, they believe he is the 'right' man to lead Pakistan. The dominant view in the diplomatic circles is that the 'policy of isolation' in the context of Pakistan is not a viable option in the aftermath of September 11.

For instance, the changing EU perception in the backdrop of the emerging security challenges involving Pakistan is that high-profile political engagement with the country is critical.

The argument put forth is that with strong institutional relations with Islamabad, the EU can work productively for more steps towards strengthening democratic and civil institutions.

"Pakistan is too strategic a place, no one wants to rock the boat," remarked a senior diplomat from a key EU member state. References were made to Pakistan's crucial role in the fight against terrorism and in regional affairs with special emphasis on the Indo-Pak peace process, Kashmir, Afghanistan and nuclear proliferation. Apparently this thinking has been influenced by active US lobbying with important members of the European bloc.

A candid comment from another diplomat was: "The normalization process between India and Pakistan, the two nuclear-armed neighbours, is an overarching interest of the international community and if it requires a general or uniformed president to do it, then the world would accept it by all means."

The reason cited by President Musharraf for deciding not to give up his uniform included national interest and political stability in the country. His contention was that retaining his military role was critical to his campaign to rid the country of extremism and in seeking a settlement with India on the Kashmir issue.

However, a year after the resumption of Indo-Pakistan dialogue the two countries are nowhere close to even initiating the process of exploring possible options for a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue.

To quote Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar, the two have not even started to "scratch the surface". The year 2004 saw a gradual rollback of the coercive measures that India had taken against Pakistan.

Perhaps the most significant outcome of the thaw in bilateral relations has been the restoration of communication and transportation links between the two countries.

At the last round of foreign secretary-level talks in Islamabad, the Pakistani side asked the Indian delegation that when both sides had agreed to work towards finding a 'final settlement' of the Kashmir issue, why did India keep talking about reaching an 'understanding' on the issue? Apparently, there was not much that the Indian side had to say in response.

There is a sense in some quarters here that India is trying to change the context of the issue. India watchers see New Delhi's peace overtures towards Pakistan, that appear to focus more on confidence-building measures than resolution of bilateral disputes, as a 'tactical engagement' for its long-term strategic goals.

ALL EYES ON E. ASIA: While the foreign office folks are currently occupied with 'tsunami' diplomacy and are actively engaged in coordinating and stepping up relief efforts in the affected South and East Asian states, they also have their eyes set on East Asia.

Apparently a conceptual framework has been drawn up to take relations with East Asian countries to a new high during the current year. A new agenda has been set for the year 2005 to focus on strengthening ties with the East Asian economies. In the first quarter of this year, leaders from at least four Asian countries - China, Japan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka - will be visiting Pakistan.

Currently, Pakistan is negotiating free trade agreements with China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Also, it is working towards building comprehensive partnerships with other East Asian countries.

And indeed Pakistan needs to move fast on this front as India has the critical step of moving its relations with the Asean countries to strategic level. There is recognition of the fact that as an 'insurance policy' Pakistan needs to link itself with both the economically robust East Asian countries as well as the militarily dominant sole superpower, the US.

Pakistan has thus used the breather it got from the ongoing peace process with India to initiate a dialogue for economic development with key Asian players. It seems mindful of the weight in former US National Security adviser Henry Kissinger's recent declaration that the world's strategic centre of gravity has shifted from the Atlantic to Asia Pacific.

And that is precisely where Pakistan's foreign policy framers want the government to give diplomacy a better chance. Pursing a more vibrant East Asia policy would entail upgrading and expanding bilateral relations, increasing interaction at all levels.

Although there is tremendous goodwill for Pakistan in most of these countries, successive governments in Islamabad have failed to benefit from it. Given that Pakistan has no bilateral disputes with these countries the road seems clear for Pakistan to cash in on the East Asian boom.

In the last two years Pakistan has been focusing on East Asia and a string of high-level visits has been made by Pakistani leaders to countries in this region. Greater efforts need to be made to encourage the country's private sector to also turn towards the East Asian markets and explore the opportunities there, instead of focusing merely on the US and European countries.

TAILPIECE: The celebrated 'four-star' US Ambassador Ryan Crocker during a recent visit to the Frontier metropolis had to hear some straight-talking from a serving general.

Apparently irked by the US government's failure to deliver on vital security apparatus that Pakistani forces require for the Waziristan operation, the general did not hide his feelings when the ambassador asked him how Washington could help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.

He reportedly told the diplomat that he could go get Pakistan's laundry list from J.C Penny or K-mart! The ambassador was reminded that the list had been shared with almost all the Congressmen, Senators and top aides of President Bush came here and asked the same question.